Dr. K. Srujan Raju is currently working as Dean Training & Placement and heading the Department of CSE at CMR Technical Campus. He obtained his Doctorate in Computer Science in the area of Network Security. He has more than 19 years of experience in academics and research. His research interest areas include Data Mining, Cognitive Radio Networks, and Image Processing. Dr. Raju is presently working on 2 projects funded by the Government of India, has filed seven patents at Indian Patent Office, edited ten books from Springer publications – AISC series, authored four books, contributed chapters in various books and published 25 papers at reputed and peer-reviewed International Conference and Journals. His involvement with students is very conducive for solving their day to day problems. He has guided various student clubs for activities ranging from photography to Hackathon. He mentored more than 100 students for incubating cutting edge solutions. He has organized many conferences, FDPs, Workshops and Symposiums. He has established the Centre of Excellence in IoT, Data Analytics. Professor Raju has acted as a reviewer and Technical Member for many conferences and is an editorial member for few journals. Raju received Significant Contributor and Active Member awards by Computer Society of India – Hyderabad Chapter.

CMR Technical Campus

Can you share your 10+ experience with CMR group of institutions and what do feel is special at CMR compared to other colleges?

Dr. K. Srujan Raju is currently working at CMR Technical Campus as Dean of Training and Placement as well as Head of the Department of Computer Science & Engineering. The Doctor of Philosophy degree he obtained in Computer Science was in the area of Network Security. He possesses a wealth of experience in academics and research, having worked in both for more than 20 years. There are several areas of research in which he is interested, including Computer Networks, Information Security, Data Mining,Cognitive Radio Networks, Image Processing, and Other Programming Languages. Aside from participating in 2 Government funded projects under the CSRI and NSTMIS schemes, Dr. Raju has also filed 16 patents and 4 design patents, out of which 4 Design Patents, 3 Utility Patents and 1 copyright in software were granted by the Indian Patent Office. He has also edited more than 24 books which are indexed by Scopus and published by Springer Book Proceedings of AISC, LAIS, and other series. Furthermore, he has authored books in the areas of C Programming & Data Structure,Exploring the Internet, Hacking Secrets as well as contributed chapters to various other books and presented more than 100 papersat major conferences and journals. Dr. Raju has been invited to serve as Session Chair, Keynote Speaker, member of the TechnicalProgram Committee, Track Manager, and reviewer for many national and international conferences as well as being appointed as a subject expert by CEPTAM DRDO - Delhi & CDAC. In addition to being a member of several professional bodies, Dr. Raju has also been recognized by the Computer Society of India with the Significant Contributor Award and the Active Young Member Award, as well as serving as a Management Committee Member, State Student Coordinator, and Secretary of the Hyderabad Chapter Of the Society of Computer Engineers. 

How well is CMR focusing on maintaining industry relationships with companies in order to leverage them for live projects, training, and placements for the students?

As the Dean of Training and Placements at CMR, our focus on industry relationships is unwavering. We actively cultivate partnerships through events and networking, bridging the gap between students and industry professionals. Our curriculum is industry-aligned, with faculty collaborating with experts for real-world insights. Live projects are integral, providing hands-on experience. Our dedicated placement team ensures strong ties with diverse companies, facilitating recruitment drives, job fairs, and internships. This holistic approach has yielded high placement rates and positive feedback, cementing CMR as a preferred talent source. We remain committed to nurturing these connections, offering students prime opportunities for growth and success in the professional arena.

What steps do you take to assess and match students' skills,interests, and career goals with suitable placement opportunities?

In CMR, career counseling is a structured and dynamic process aimed at assisting students in making informed choices about their future career paths by providing them with information and guidance. As part of this comprehensive process, several stages are involved, each designed to uncover a student's strengths, interests, and career aspirations in an effort to guide them towards a fulfilling and successful career path.

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Can you discuss your experience handling Placements, Internships, what are the major challenges of being in this role and how do you manage them?

Overseeing placements and internships as the Dean of Training and Placements has been a dynamic experience. The major challenge lies in aligning diverse student skill sets with the expectations of a constantly evolving job market. To address this, we maintain an industry-oriented curriculum, ensuring students are well-equipped with current industry demands. Another challenge is catering to the varied needs of companies seeking talent. We manage this by fostering a wide network of industry connections and customizing placement strategies to suit each partner's requirements. Additionally, ensuring smooth communication between students and recruiters is crucial. Regular workshops, mock interviews, and counseling sessions are conducted to enhance students' employability skills. The proactive approach, continuous adaptation, and personalized engagement have been key in effectively handling challenges and achieving successful placements and internships for our students.

How do you engage with alumni who have participated in placements or internships to build a strong network and facilitate mentorship opportunities for current students?

There are several opportunities in the CMR to engage with alumni through social media. Collecting Useful Information from Alumni, Monitoring hashtags and keywords that are used in relation to CMR, Tracking the type of content that gets the most attention from CMR campaigns, Using alumni surveys to uncover important demographics about location, gender, jobs and more, and Using LinkedIn to Promote Networking & Learning among Alumni. 

How to handle the requirements of students at the same time considering the administration norms as a dean of student welfare?

As a Dean of Student Welfare, I’m balancing the needs of students with the administration norms: Understanding the needs of students: It is important to understand the needs of students and their expectations from the institution. This can be done by conducting surveys, focus groups, and other forms of feedback mechanisms. Communicating effectively: ensuring that students are aware of the administration norms and policies. This can be done through regular newsletters, emails, and other forms of communication. Be transparent: transparent about the administration norms and policies, and to explain the rationale behind them. Collaborating with students: understanding their needs and expectations. This can be done through student councils, committees, and other forms of student engagement. Using technology: to streamline administrative processes and make them more efficient. As a Dean of Student Welfare, my primary responsibility is to ensure the welfare of students while adhering to the administration norms and policies.

What is your vision as dean of Placements and student welfare atCMR, for the upcoming years?

As the Dean of Placements and Student Welfare, my vision for the upcoming years would be to provide a friendly and inclusive environment that is conducive to learning. My aim is to support student activities and their co- curricular programs, collaborate with other members of the university community to enhance student learning and success, and facilitate professional growth and community development of students.